The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are gaming headphones with a long 25-hour battery life. They're the next generation of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 headphones and have slightly thicker padding that can help you stay comfortable during long gaming sessions. On the downside, they have high audio latency and can sound different depending on who's wearing them. However, the unique ski-band headband can be adjusted to give you the best fit possible, and the companion software gives you access to a great graphic EQ to further fine-tune your listening experience.
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are decent for neutral sound. Their bass and treble delivery depend on their fit, seal, and positioning on your head. It's possible to get closer to a more neutral sound profile if you take the time to adjust their headband a bit though. That said, their default sound profile is a bit boomy and sharp. You can also tweak the way they sound to better suit your needs using their companion software's graphic EQ.
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Great companion software with many customization options.
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Inconsistent audio delivery.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are sub-par for commuting. They don't really reduce bass-heavy noise like bus or plane engines. They're comfortable headphones but not very portable and don't fold, which is less than ideal for travel. If you want to use them wirelessly, you also need to have your laptop handy as you need their transmitter. That's not an issue if you want to use them wired, however. On the upside, they have an excellent continuous battery life of roughly 25 hours.
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Comfortable and stable.
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Excellent continuous battery life.
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Slightly bulky design.
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Poor noise isolation performance.
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May be less comfortable for people with bigger ears or heads.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are passable for sports. Their fairly tight and secure fit is comfortable, but their bulky design makes them less portable. They're also somewhat breathable, but you might still notice a rise in temperature around your ears, especially while exercising. Still, they're a gaming headset and aren't designed for sports.
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Comfortable and stable.
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Excellent continuous battery life.
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Slightly bulky design.
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Not extremely breathable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are fair for office use. While they're comfortable to wear, they won't isolate you from much of the noise around you. On the plus side, your co-workers around you shouldn't hear much of your music even if you turn it up. Their battery life also is more than enough to get you through the workday and they can be used passively.
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Comfortable and stable.
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Excellent continuous battery life.
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Poor noise isolation performance.
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May be less comfortable for people with bigger ears or heads.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are decent for wireless gaming. Their ski-band headband and soft, padded ear cups are comfortable enough for long gaming sessions, and long continuous battery life means you don't have to worry too much about prematurely pausing your gameplay. They have a bendy boom microphone that does a great job of capturing your voice clearly, even in noisy environments. Unfortunately, they have high latency. They can also sound different depending on who's wearing them, but the companion app offers presets and a graphic EQ so you can customize the sound profile.
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Great mic performance even in noisy environments.
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Comfortable and stable.
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Excellent continuous battery life.
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Inconsistent audio delivery.
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May be less comfortable for people with bigger ears or heads.
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High non-Bluetooth audio latency.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are very good for wired gaming. They're comfortable, have virtually no audio lag when wired, and the microphone clearly captures your voice, even in more noisy environments. You can use the companion software to find the right sound profile for you. On the downside, they can sound different depending on who's wearing them so it's important to get a proper fit and seal to ensure you get a consistent sound.
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Great mic performance even in noisy environments.
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Excellent continuous battery life.
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Inconsistent audio delivery.
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May be less comfortable for people with bigger ears or heads.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are decent for phone calls. The microphone records voices clearly, even in loud environments like a gaming tournament. However, you might have a hard time hearing whoever's on the other line as these headphones do a poor job of isolating noise around you.
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Great mic performance even in noisy environments.
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Excellent continuous battery life.
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Poor noise isolation performance.
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May be less comfortable for people with bigger ears or heads.
- 7.5 Neutral Sound
- 5.8 Commute/Travel
- 6.3 Sports/Fitness
- 6.9 Office
- 7.3 Wireless Gaming
- 7.9 Wired Gaming
- 7.1 Phone Calls
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Mar 09, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Feb 04, 2021: We've retested and updated the 'Comfort' test results.
- Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Sep 05, 2019: We've updated the Base/Dock box and Connectivity section of the review to show this headset isn't wirelessly compatible with the Xbox One.
- Updated Mar 19, 2019: Review published.
- Updated Mar 17, 2019: Early access published.
- Updated Mar 15, 2019: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Mar 15, 2019: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Feb 27, 2019: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are available in two colors, black and white. We tested the black variant, but expect the other color to perform similarly. If you come across another variant or yours are different, please let us know in the discussions below so we can update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are over-ear gaming headphones that have a unique stretchy ski-band headband, like most SteelSeries headphones. They're comfortable and stable, but sound delivery can vary a lot depending on how they fit you. Fortunately, they work with a companion app that offers lots of customization features, including a graphic EQ. They have an impressive, 25-hour continuous battery life and a great microphone, but unfortunately can't be used wirelessly with Xbox. If you're looking for a gaming headset that works for this console, take a look at our recommendations for the best Xbox One headsets. For more options, see our recommendations for the best PS4 gaming headsets and the best gaming headsets.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless have a slight edge over the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the Arctis 7+ have a better battery performance, more robust sound customization features in their companion software, and have lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency. However, the Arctis 7 2019 have a better overall boom mic performance.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II Wireless. The SteelSeries have more robust controls like channel mixing, they can be used passively with their 1/8" TRRS cable, which gives you full mic and audio compatibility, and you can use them wired on the Xbox One. They're also compatible with the SteelSeries Engine software, which has a graphic EQ and presets so that you can customize their sound to your liking. However, the HyperX are more comfortable and have a better overall performing boom mic. They also have lower non-Bluetooth latency.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are somewhat better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless. The Arctis Pro Wireless have more connectivity options since they support Bluetooth, and have a base that acts not only as a wireless transmitter but as a charging station. Their microphone also performs better overall. On the other hand, the 7 2019 Edition are significantly cheaper. If you don’t need Bluetooth and don’t care for the swappable battery design, the 7 may be a better choice, considering the price difference.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset. The SteelSeries have a wireless design that offers more freedom. They also have channel mixing and a long continuous battery life of roughly 25 hours. However, they have high audio latency via non-Bluetooth wireless. On the other hand, the Logitech feel more comfortable and premium. Their app also offers more customization options for their audio reproduction and the microphone. If you prefer a wired connection for gaming and don’t want to worry about battery life, then the Logitech may be a better option for you.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless can be used both wired and wirelessly, so they're more versatile gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud 2/Cloud II which can only be used wired. The SteelSeries are also customizable with their support software on PC, but the HyperX are more comfortable.
The newer SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are slightly different style-wise from the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017 and seem to have more padding on the ear cups, making them deeper and more suitable for big ears. However, the overall performance of the two models is fairly similar and may not be worth the upgrade if you didn’t have any issue with the fit of the 2017 model. The 2019 Edition has a better wireless range, and you can now set your desired auto-off timer in the SteelSeries Engine software.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless are somewhat better overall gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless. Both headphones are comfortable, well-built, have out-of-head passive soundstages, and their boom mics also have similar recording qualities. However, the 7P+ have a longer continuous battery life and lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency. In comparison, the Arctis 7 2019 Edition's mic is better at noise handling.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are slightly better for wireless gaming than the SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless. The 7 2019 Edition have a 1/8" TRRS cable that allows for passive audio playback and microphone usage. They also deliver audio more consistently and have a better-balanced default sound profile. Their continuous battery life is longer too. Meanwhile, the 9 are Bluetooth-compatible, so you can listen to music from your phone as you game. They also have an easier-to-use control scheme.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless are very similar gaming headphones, and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Arctis 7 are only wirelessly compatible with PCs, PS4s, and PS5s, whereas the Arctis 7X have a dongle that you can switch to game on either PlayStation and Xbox consoles. The Arctis 7X also have better controls.
The Logitech G PRO X WIRELESS LIGHTSPEED Gaming Headset is a somewhat better headset for wireless gaming than the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless. The Logitech are more comfortable, and they have a more neutral, less bass-heavy default sound profile than the SteelSeries. Also, their boom microphone has a better recording quality and noise isolation performance, so they can help you communicate better with your teammates, especially in noisier environments. That said, the SteelSeries are better built and have a more stable fit, and they can be used wired, which some gamers may prefer.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better headphones for gaming than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless 2020. The SteelSeries' are better-built, and their boom mic has a significantly better recording quality. However, the Razer isolate you from a bit more ambient noise, and you can detach the boom mic for a more casual look when you're not gaming.
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC and the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are very similarly-designed gaming headphones, but the 7 are slightly better due to their wireless design. However, the SteelSeries Engine offers more options inside the app with the GameDAC, like a better EQ with more bands. The GameDAC also have a useful dock to make quick on-the-fly setting changes. Overall, the wireless design of the 7 is going to offer more freedom to the user, and they offer better overall value.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are very good wireless gaming headphones, but the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 are even better for most people. The Astro are more comfortable, have a better-performing mic, and they come with a nice charging station. However, they take over four hours to charge with their base station and can't be used with a regular audio cable. The SteelSeries have a longer battery life, take less time to charge, and support passive playback.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better overall wireless gaming headphones than the Logitech G733 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. The SteelSeries have a slightly more comprehensive control scheme, sturdier build quality, a more stable fit, and superior microphone recording quality. They also have a longer continuous battery life and offer full wired audio and mic compatibility with their 1/8" TRRS cable. That said, the Logitech have more features in their companion app and have a mic that does a better job of filtering speech from ambient noise.
The SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition and the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are similarly designed gaming headphones, but the wireless 7 is a better option. They feel noticeably better-built and their mic also has better recording quality. Their wireless design means you can easily play games from your couch without a wire going to your controller. However, you have to manage their battery life, which some may find less worry-free than a plug-and-play headset like the 5. They also have high non-Bluetooth wireless latency.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless are two gaming headphones with similar wireless gaming performances. Both headphones are well-built, comfortable, and support customization via SteelSeries Engine software. They can also be used on PC, PS4, and PS5 wirelessly, and can be used on the Xbox One via an analog connection. However, the Arctis 7P Wireless' boom mic has a better recording quality while the Arctis 7 2019 Edition's battery recharges in less time.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better overall gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1. The 7 2019 Edition are more versatile since you can use them wirelessly or wired, while the 1 are for wired use only. The 7 2019 Edition are also customizable with the SteelSeries Engine software and have adjustable channel mixing and microphone level control features. However, the Arctis 1's mic has a much better recording quality. You also don't have to worry about battery life or latency issues since they're wired. That said, the 7 2019 Edition have a remarkable battery performance, though their non-Bluetooth latency is quite high.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless a better wireless gaming headset than the Corsair HS80 RGB WIRELESS. The SteelSeries have better controls for gaming, including channel mixing, a longer continuous battery life, and a more neutral default sound profile, which some may prefer. They have lower non-Bluetooth latency, and also come with an audio cable you can use for an analog connection with Xbox consoles as well as PlayStations and PCs. On the other hand, the Corsair don't work with Xbox, but their boom mic makes your voice sound more full-bodied and natural.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are slightly better headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless. The biggest difference between these two is that the 7 2019 Edition are much better built than the 1. They're also a bit more comfortable, and they have a much better performing microphone. On the other hand, the 1 have lower latency when used wireless, but unfortunately, they don't allow for channel mixing.
The HyperX Cloud Alpha and the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are both very good headphones for wired gaming. The HyperX are more comfortable and even feel better built, but don't have any sound customization options. The SteelSeries have a great companion app that gives you access to a graphic EQ and presets, and some may prefer them because they can also be used for wired gaming.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Corsair VIRTUOSO RGB Wireless XT. The SteelSeries are more comfortable, have a better battery performance, and their default sound profile is more neutral. However, the Corsair have a better boom mic performance, support Bluetooth, and have lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better for wireless gaming compared to the Sony PULSE 3D Wireless. The SteelSeries are comfier, more sturdily-built, and have a considerably longer battery life. They're also compatible with the SteelSeries Engine companion app, which offers a fairly broad range of configuration options. That said, the Sony deliver audio more consistently and leak a little bit less audio.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis 3 2019 Edition Wireless. The Arctis 7 have a better build quality and are compatible with the SteelSeries Engine software, which offers good customization options. They also have a power-saving feature and can be used while charging. However, they have high non-Bluetooth wireless latency. On the other hand, the Arctis 3 have a longer continuous battery life. Their microphone has a better recording quality.
Both the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless and the Astro A40 TR + MixAmp Pro 2017 are great gaming headphones that each have their own strengths. The Astro come with a great dock that offers controls and are slightly more comfortable. Their microphone sounds better and you don't have to worry about battery life since they're wired. On the other hand, the SteelSeries can be used wirelessly, although not with Xbox One. On the upside, the SteelSeries Engine offers more controls and customization options than the Astro Command Center software, and their closed-back design isolates a bit more noise than the open-back Astro.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Logitech G935 Wireless. The SteelSeries are better-built headphones and don’t feel as plasticky. Their microphone performance is significantly better, so your voice sounds better even in noisy environments. The SteelSeries also have about twice the battery life of the Logitech. On the other hand, the Logitech headphones have a better app that offers more controls and RGB lighting, which is a plus if you like those aesthetics. The G935 also has a more neutral sound profile, although you can EQ both headsets in their respective apps.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless. While the Razer have a unique haptic feedback feature that can immerse you in your game, their battery lasts barely over five hours, which is quite disappointing. The SteelSeries have a much longer battery life, a better microphone, easier-to-use controls, and feel more durable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE. The SteelSeries are more comfortable, have better controls, feel more stable on the head, and have a more balanced and neutral sound profile. They aren't as consistent among users, however, and some people may get inconsistent bass or treble delivery. Their microphone's recording quality isn't quite as good as the Corsair's, but it handles noisy environments much better and they have a much longer continuous battery life.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless are fairly similar headphones, but the 7 2019 Edition may be a better option for most, since the 9X are designed specifically for Xbox. When used wirelessly, the 7 2019 Edition support voice chat when used wired. However, they have very high wireless latency via their dongle. On the other hand, the Arctis 9X are also Bluetooth-compatible, meaning you can use them on-the-go with your phone. Other than that, they're equally comfortable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the Logitech G933 Wireless. They have channel mixing, which can be useful when you need to mute game or chat audio. They also feel better-built and their microphone offers better recording quality. They also offer about twice the battery life of the Logitech. On the other hand, the Logitech have more customization options in their app and also offer RGB lighting, which some may like. You also have more controls on the headset and have access to mappable buttons.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Flight. Both are wireless and have fairly well-balanced sound profiles, but the SteelSeries feel better built and more high-end. They also have better customization options through their software than the HyperX. On the other hand, the HyperX have exceptional noise handling ability, so they easily separate speech from background noise even in very noisy environments. Also, the HyperX uses a USB dongle without a wire, which some may prefer as it allows for easier cable management.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are a better gaming headset than the Corsair Void PRO RGB Wireless. They are better-built headphones and their microphone has better recording quality for online games. You can also use the SteelSeries wired with all platforms, which you can’t do with the Corsair. The SteelSeries have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some listeners may prefer, and they're also compatible with a great app that offers an EQ. On the other hand, the Corsair perform more consistently across different users and have RGB lighting, which the SteelSeries don't.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better overall gaming headphones than the SteelSeries Arctis Prime. While both headphones are comfortable, the 7 can be used wired or wirelessly. They're better-built, compatible with SteelSeries Engine software, so you're able to customize their sound to your liking using the graphic EQ or presets, and their mic has a better noise handling performance. However, the Arctis Prime's mic has a better recording quality.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Wireless are better for wireless gaming than the ROCCAT Syn Pro Air Wireless. The SteelSeries have much better build quality, and their boom mic has a significantly better recording quality. They have onboard controls for channel mixing and can be used wirelessly or with a wired connection. However, the ROCCAT offer somewhat lower latency with PCs over non-Bluetooth wireless. They also come with an adapter that makes their wireless USB dongle compatible with Android phones and tablets.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless and the TOZO T6 Truly Wireless are very different headphones. The SteelSeries are wireless headphones with a boom microphone designed for gaming, while the TOZO are truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds for use with your mobile devices. You can still plug the SteelSeries into your phone with a regular audio cable, but the TOZO aren't compatible with most gaming platforms and have too much wireless latency for PC gaming.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better for gaming than the HyperX Cloud Revolver + 7.1. The SteelSeries can be used wirelessly or on a wired connection using their included 1/8" TRRS cable. They're also better-built, comfier, more stable on the head, feature on-board channel mixing, block out more ambient noise, and offer superior overall mic performance along with a companion app with many customization options.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better wireless gaming headphones than the Astro A20 Gen 2 Wireless. The SteelSeries are comfier, better-built, have a more stable fit, block out more ambient noise, leak less audio, and have better overall microphone performance. They also have longer continuous battery life and offer full microphone and audio compatibility on all devices with an AUX port thanks to their included 1/8" TRRS cable. However, the Astro deliver audio more consistently.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are better than the ROCCAT Elo 7.1 Air Wireless. The SteelSeries are more comfortable, better-built, leak less audio, have superior overall microphone performance, and last significantly longer on a single charge. They can also be used on a wired connection via a 1/8" TRRS cable and they have lower non-Bluetooth wireless latency.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless and the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless are gaming headphones with different purposes. The SteelSeries are designed for use when gaming via a wired connection, while the Turtle Beach are designed to be used wirelessly with their included dongle. Regarding performance, the SteelSeries do a better job than the Turtle Beach at separating your voice from background noise, are more comfortable, leak less audio, and have better battery life. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach deliver audio more consistently between wears, can connect to your Bluetooth-enabled device at the same time as your console, and are much cheaper.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are much better wireless gaming headphones than the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero Wireless. The SteelSeries are more comfortable, feel much better-built, have better controls, and have a better-balanced default sound profile with more bass. They also work wirelessly with both PS4 as well as PC, unlike the Turtle Beach which are only compatible with PC. That being said, the Turtle Beach last longer off a single charge, and support Waves NX 3D Audio virtual surround sound.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are slightly better wireless gaming headphones than the HyperX Cloud Flight S. The SteelSeries feel more stable and well-built, can be used wired or wireless, and have better software that gives access to a full graphic EQ. On the other hand, the HyperX have wireless charging, a slightly better microphone, isolate more background noise, and have a longer battery life.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless and the Beats Solo Pro Wireless are for different purposes. The SteelSeries are wireless gaming headphones that are more comfortable and have a superior mic performance. They also have a better battery performance and you can customize their sound profile using their companion software's graphic EQ and presets. However, the Beats are more suitable for casual use. The Beats have better controls, a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and an active noise cancelling system that blocks out a significant amount of noise around you. They also have an H1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are more versatile wireless gaming headphones than the Corsair HS70 Wireless. While the SteelSeries tend to reproduce audio more inconsistently across different users, they have a much better microphone, their battery lasts 10 hours longer, and they can be used wired. The Corsair might sound better-balanced to more people out-of-the-box, but their lack of wired audio is disappointing.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless are slightly better gaming headphones than the Astro A50 Gen 3 Wireless 2017. While the SteelSeries aren’t as comfortable as the Astros, and their dock doesn’t support charging, they can be used wired and are more versatile. The recording quality of the microphone is also noticeably better. On the other hand, the Astro have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some may prefer, but you always need their dock to use them, which is restrictive. The SteelSeries are also cheaper and will have a better value for most.
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Test Results
The design has changed slightly from the previous generation, SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017. The hard outer headband is more rounded, and the ear cups have extra padding. The microphone can retract inside the left ear cup for a more casual look. If you want flashier headphones, you can buy headband straps and backplates with various designs from the SteelSeries website.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are comfortable headphones. Their earcups have slightly thicker padding compared with their predecessor, and it feels soft on the skin as well as more porous, which helps with airflow. However, if your ears or head are big, your ears may touch the headphones' drivers, which can become tiring. The unique ski-band headband can also feel a little tight on larger heads, and it can't be expanded beyond the length of the strap. If you're looking for comfortable gaming headphones without the ski-band design, check out the Astro A50 Gen 4 Wireless 2019 wireless headset.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have mediocre controls. Very similar to the previous generation, the left cup has a channel mixing wheel and a power button, while the right cup has a volume wheel and a mic-mute button. The wheels have a slightly more raised texture compared with the ones on the SteelSeries Arctis 7 Wireless 2017. Unlike the similarly gaming-oriented SteelSeries Arctis 9 Wireless, these headphones lack music/call management buttons, which some may find limits their versatility.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 are passably breathable. Their ear cups have porous padding that helps with airflow but still traps quite a bit of heat. While they aren't well-suited for wearing during workouts, they shouldn't be too much of a problem if you're casually gaming.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 headphones have sub-par portability. Like the SteelSeries Arctis Prime, they're fairly bulky. The ear cups swivel to lay flat, but the headband can't fold into a more compact shape. However, if you mostly use this gaming headset at home, portability shouldn't be much of an issue.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have an impressive build quality. The metal headband is flexible but sturdy, the ear cup padding feels dense, and the boom microphone has a bendy, retractable arm. They should survive a few drops or impacts without taking too much damage. However, the ear cups' backplates are a weaker point and feel like they could come off if they're knocked around or dropped too much. On the upside, these headphones are much better-built than the similar-looking SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless. If you're looking for an even better-built gaming headset, check out the Logitech G Pro X Gaming Headset.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have good stability. They shouldn't move around too much during light physical activity like a walk, but they're fairly bulky and may fall off during a workout or other more intense physical activities.
- SteelSeries Arctis 7 headset
- USB dongle
- Micro-USB to USB-A charging cable
- 1/8" TRRS audio cable
- Manuals
The SteelSeries Arctis 7's sound profile really depends on how they fit on your head. Their position, seal, and whether you have glasses or thick hair all affect sound delivery and can result in inconsistent bass and treble. Once properly fitted to your head, you should get consistent delivery. With a good fit, they have a somewhat neutral sound profile with some overemphasis in the mid and high-bass ranges, which adds some boominess, as well as in the mid-treble, which adds sharpness. If you don't like how they sound out-of-the-box, you can use the graphic EQ in the companion app to customize the sound profile.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have disappointing frequency response consistency. While the bass is somewhat consistent, there can be a drop in bass for some users such as those who wear glasses as the ear cups may not fit properly flush to the head. The treble range is inconsistent too. As the overall frequency response depends on the fit, seal, and positioning, once you achieve a good overall fit, you should get a more consistent frequency response each time you use them. Take a look at the Astro A20 Gen 2 Wireless if you're looking for wireless gaming headphones that deliver audio more consistently.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have decent bass accuracy, but delivery may vary depending on how they fit you. They lack some low bass, which reduces thump and rumble, which an overemphasis on mid and high-bass adds punch and body but can also make mixes sound boomy. However, bass delivery can be sensitive to fit, seal, and whether you have thick hair or glasses, so make sure you take the time to properly adjust them. This bass accuracy performance represents the average response, and your experience may vary.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have great mid accuracy. The overemphasis in the high-bass continues a bit into the low-mid range, which could make mixes sound cluttered and muddy, but otherwise, the rest of the range is quite neutral. There's some discrepancy between the left and right drivers' response in the mid to high-mid range, but it shouldn't be too noticeable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have good treble accuracy, but delivery can vary depending on the user. A small dip in the low treble veils instruments and lead vocals, while a big peak in the mid-treble makes sibilants like cymbals and S and T sounds seem sharper and more piercing. However, this treble accuracy performance represents the average response, and your experience may vary.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7's peaks and dips performance is satisfactory. A peak in the high-bass adds boominess to the mix while a dip in the low treble veils vocals and lead instruments. Another peak in the mid-treble adds sharpness to sibilants. The left driver also is slightly overemphasized while the right driver is underemphasized, particularly in the mid-range.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7's imaging is good. While there are some peaks in the bass range that are above the group delay's audibility threshold, it may not be audible for most users. There's also some mismatch in amplitude between the left and right drivers, which can be noticeable. While there are reports online that describe the drivers performing differently and producing a slightly skewed image, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7's soundstage is mediocre. Sound seems to be coming from outside your head, but it may seem unnatural or odd compared with listening to real speakers set up a room. The soundstage is somewhat spacious, but because of the closed-back design, it may not feel as open as what you experience with open-back headphones.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have DTS virtual surround support and a simple speaker modeling feature, although we don't currently test these features.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have very good weighted harmonic distortion performance. Overall, all frequencies fall within good limits, which should result in clear and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when listening using these settings.
These headphones have poor noise isolation performance. Like most other gaming headphones like the SteelSeries Arctis 7+ Wireless, they block virtually no low-frequency sounds like the rumble of bus and plane engines. They're also inadequate if you want to isolate yourself from office-type noise like ambient chatter. They do a decent job of blocking out higher-pitched sounds, however, so if you're running an A/C unit near your gaming setup, you won't hear its sharp hum as much.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have a decent leakage performance. Most of the leakage is in the mid-range, so it sounds fuller compared to most in-ear headphones, which tend to leak mostly high-frequency noise that sounds thin. If you're in an office setting, people may hear a small amount of your audio when you're listening at high volumes.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7's microphone has a very good recording quality. Your voice sounds clear and full-bodied but lacks a bit of brightness and airiness.
The boom microphone has impressive noise handling. It can easily separate your voice even in places with a lot of background noise, like gaming tournaments.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7's battery performance is amazing. They offer 25 hours of continuous battery life plus an adjustable auto-off timer in the companion software, so you can immerse yourself in your MMO for hours without worrying about the battery dying. You can simultaneously charge them and use them wirelessly or use them passively via their included audio cable.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have impressive app support. SteelSeries Engine is a great companion app that offers plenty of useful features. The software is easy to use, as all the controls are on a single page. It has a graphic EQ with presets, surround support, an adjustable auto-off timer, and adjustable microphone volume control. If you like different configurations in different situations, you can save your settings and switch between them. However, you need to use the transmitter if you want your EQs and settings to work. If you like special features and enjoy the look of RGB lighting, check out the Logitech G935 Wireless or the Razer Nari Ultimate Wireless, which both have superb apps.
Update 08/06/2021: These headphones have been updated to test bench 1.5. In this update, we made changes to the way we test latency. We now use a click track in our software and we measure latency three times and average the results. This new method has resulted in different latency values than what we had reported in our previous test bench. We have updated our review to reflect these changes.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have mediocre non-Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Their line of sight range is decent, allowing you to use them further away from their audio source. However, their latency is quite high, which may not be ideal for gaming, as it could result in your audio and visuals falling out of sync. If you're looking for wireless gaming headphones that offer a lower latency connection, consider the SteelSeries Arctis 7P+ Wireless or the ROCCAT Elo 7.1 Air Wireless.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 use a proprietary audio cable compatible with most consoles. They also come with a micro-USB to USB-A cable for charging the headphones as well as a wireless USB dongle. If you're looking for a wired gaming headset, the more pricey SteelSeries Arctis Pro GameDAC or the simpler, cheaper SteelSeries Arctis 5 2019 Edition are good choices.
You can use these headphones with Xbox One and Xbox Series X if you plug the 1/8" TRRS cable into the controller, which allows you to use the microphone and receive audio. However, they don't work with Xbox Wireless, so you can't use them wirelessly with Xbox. If you're looking for a wireless gaming headset that's fully compatible with the Xbox, check out the SteelSeries Arctis 9X Wireless or the SteelSeries Arctis 7X Wireless.
The SteelSeries Arctis 7 have a small wireless USB dongle base/dock. It doesn't have dock charging but it has a line in and a line out. The dock's also only compatible with PC, PS4, and PS5 consoles.